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Farmer happy to call Harwell a friend

Farmer happy to call Harwell a friend

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CHICAGO -- Ed Farmer, the White Sox radio play-by-play man, formed a nearly four-decade friendship with broadcasting legend Ernie Harwell when the reliever pitched for the Tigers in 1973. Farmer remembered his friend fondly following the passing of the Major League Baseball legend at 92.

"When they gave me the press release, I almost couldn't get through the inning. That's how much I cared about him," said Farmer. "He was married for 68 years and he was the voice of the Tigers. He knew how to do it right.

"He not only showed us how to be a gentleman when I was with the Tigers. But in dying, he showed us how to be a gentleman and lived through something that was traumatic, and near the end, was coming."

Farmer received great broadcasting advice from Harwell: Let them know where the ball is, let them know the score and let them know the passion for the White Sox. More than anything, Farmer valued Harwell's friendship.

"We are going to miss him as a person, No. 1, and as a broadcaster, No. 2, but also his influence on the game," Farmer said. "What a gentleman."